NL West

Now Commenting On:

GM: Eckstein injury won't alter trade course

GM: Eckstein injury won't alter trade course

Email

Print

By
/
|

ATLANTA -- San Diego general manager Jed Hoyer said on Thursday the calf injury that landed second baseman David Eckstein on the 15-day disabled list won't hasten or change the way the team is approaching the July 31 non-wavier Trade Deadline.

"We still don't have a feel for Eck's injury yet, so we don't want to prioritize an infielder. ... We have been looking at infield depth anyway, so it doesn't change our course," Hoyer said.

Eckstein went on the disabled list on Thursday, a day after he suffered a right calf strain trying to score from second base on a Nick Hundley single to center.

Eckstein suffered a similar injury to his calf, though in a slightly different location, early in July. He missed seven consecutive starts with that injury.

The Padres will know more about the extent of Eckstein's injury after they return home late Sunday after a game in Pittsburgh. He'll likely have an MRI on the calf on Monday.

The team, for the foreseeable future, will cover second base with Jerry Hairston, who is hitting .348 since July 5. Everth Cabrera will play every day at shortstop. The Padres can use Oscar Salazar at second base in a pinch if need be.

San Diego manager Bud Black hasn't ruled out eventually adding another infielder, but that likely won't happen before the team returns to begin a homestand Tuesday.

As for their search for middle infield help, the Padres have inquired about 36-year-old Miguel Tejada of the Orioles and have kicked the tires on a handful of other players.

Hoyer said that the cost of doing potential business is still high and that he's still making a lot of calls to teams about players who could help the Padres.